NBA Opening Week and Christmas Schedule Announced

ESPN and ABC reveal Opening Week doubleheaders and a five game Christmas Day slate for the 2025-26 NBA season, with a push toward direct to consumer features.

ESPN and ABC Unveil Blockbuster NBA Opening Week and Christmas Schedule for 2025-26

ESPN and ABC announced the Opening Week and Christmas schedule for the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Opening Week features two doubleheaders on Wednesday October 22 and Thursday October 23, with games including the Cavaliers at Knicks and Spurs at Mavericks on opening night, followed by Thunder at Pacers and Nuggets at Warriors on the second night. Christmas Day on December 25 presents five exclusive games across ESPN and ABC, showcasing top teams and star names.

The lineup also highlights the network’s broader push into direct-to-consumer experiences. Fans will see enhanced ESPN App features such as live stats, betting information, fantasy options and personalized content tied to the games, designed to give viewers more choice regardless of how they watch. The full 2025-26 schedule will be released later, signaling continued emphasis on marquee matchups and holiday programming.

The schedule underscores ESPN and ABC’s strategy to anchor the season with high-profile showdowns while expanding fan access through a strengthened app. By pairing veteran powerhouses with rising talents like Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg in Opening Week, the networks blend credibility with new appeal to younger audiences. The five Christmas games reinforce a calendar built around exclusive, must-see broadcasts that can attract advertisers and boost streaming engagement during the holiday season. Critics may watch how the new era in direct-to-consumer features influences traditional viewing habits and whether the star-driven slate translates into sustained, year-long interest.

Highlights

The schedule signals a bold, audience-focused approach as the season opens and fans plan their calendars around basketball's biggest days.